Child left in storeroom at Sydney centre sparks concerns over supervision and trauma support

A distressing incident at a western Sydney early learning service has highlighted the importance of robust supervision practices and trauma-informed responses, after a two-year-old child was accidentally locked in a storeroom.

A distressing incident at a western Sydney early learning service has highlighted the importance of robust supervision practices and trauma-informed responses, after a two-year-old child was accidentally locked in a storeroom for more than 12 minutes.

A Sydney mother has spoken out after her two-year-old son was inadvertently left alone in a storeroom at Little Zak’s Academy in Austral on 6 January, an event she says has left him traumatised and suffering ongoing emotional and physical distress.

Meryl, the child’s mother, told 2GB radio that the incident has had a lasting impact on her son, who now fears dark spaces, wakes frequently in the night and experiences night-time incontinence.

According to CCTV footage, an educator had entered the storeroom with several children. While most exited the space after being told to leave, the child remained inside unnoticed. The educator then closed the door without checking, inadvertently locking him in. He was later found and released by the parent of another child who noticed the door was shut and opened it.

“No-one even comforted him when he walked out,” Meryl said. “He was just standing there.”

In response, Little Zak’s Academy issued a formal apology, acknowledging the severity of the event. The centre reported the incident to the NSW Department of Education’s Early Childhood Education and Care Directorate and said it has taken multiple steps to prevent recurrence, including:

• Issuing formal warnings to staff involved
• Implementing mandatory retraining for educators
• Updating supervision policies and procedures
• Introducing new storeroom safety checks and signage

“This should never have happened,” the service said in a statement. “We’re truly sorry that it did.”

National Law section 165 services must ensure that each child being educated and cared for is adequately supervised at all times. Regulation 168 also requires services to have and follow policies and procedures on child protection, including supervision and incident management. 

The incident adds to growing concerns within the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector about maintaining high supervision standards and supporting children who experience distressing events in care.

The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) provides detailed guidance on supervision and safety under Quality Area 2 of the National Quality Standard. 

Resources such as Active supervision: ensuring safety and promoting learning and Element 2.2.1 – Supervision offer valuable strategies to support safe practice.

Sector advocates are urging all services to regularly review supervision and room-exit procedures, particularly in environments where multiple small spaces may be accessible to children. They also emphasise the importance of providing trauma-informed care and clear, compassionate communication with families in the aftermath of incidents.

As the investigation concludes, the priority now lies in restoring trust, ensuring the wellbeing of affected families, and preventing future lapses.